Monica

Whitney Houston 'Prepared' Monica For Her Life In Music

24 Apr 2012 19:23:45 EDT

'My great-grandchildren will know exactly who Whitney Houston is,' 31-year-old New Life singer tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman

Monica and the late Whitney Houston shared a special bond. Not only did the fallen pop icon influence Monica, she also mentored her from a very young age.

"Losing somebody that you idolize is one thing, but losing a friend is another thing," Monica told MTV News during an April 10 interview. "I look back over many, many years of my life, and Whitney wasn't the type of person that would call and ask if I was OK; she would actually fly to me. She would come looking for me, she would sit with me.

"She prepared me and always reminded me to never lose sight of who I was, and I think she could be a testament to that because of what she experienced," she continued. "It's hard on a daily basis, especially when I'm thinking about her."

It's been almost three months since Houston passed away after accidentally drowning in a bathtub in her Los Angeles hotel room. While the wounds are still fresh, Monica marches on. The 31-year-old singer just dropped her seventh solo album, New Life, and has been singing Houston's songs since the very beginning of her career.

In March, Monica partnered with Brandy in Atlanta, and together they sang touching Whitney covers. It was far from the first time they paid homage to her. "I guess I get through the tributes for Nippy because I knew how much she enjoyed them," Monica explained. "I didn't just start doing tributes to her: I was signed at 11 years old singing 'The Greatest Love of All.' "

While on the road with Trey Songz during his 2010 Passion, Pain & Pleasure Tour, Monica would honor her idol every night, and Houston was alive to see it. "I would put on a gown and do a full-out salute to her from top to bottom and sing," she said. "She got a kick out of that."

Though Whitney's death has been difficult for Monica, the spirited singer takes comfort in knowing that her friend and teacher left a legacy that will transcend generations. "I really appreciate the fact that for almost three decades she gave us music that will last," she said. "My grandchildren will know exactly who she is; my great-grandchildren will know exactly who Whitney Houston is."

Share your favorite Whitney Houston memory in the comments below.

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Dick Clark Remembered By Olivia Munn, Aubrey O'Day, Monica

20 Apr 2012 09:58:37 EDT

'Growing up, we started a new year with Dick Clark every year,' Munn tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino

When Dick Clark passed away earlier this week, some of the entertainment world's biggest stars immediately reacted to the news with great sadness. Clark's influence on pop culture has shaped the way TV looks and feels, even in 2012.

Without Clark, shows like "American Idol" (which is hosted by Clark's mentee Ryan Seacrest), "TRL" or even "Glee" might have never existed. He helped change the way TV, pop culture and music influence and interact with one another.

Fans and colleagues alike believe that Clark's annual "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" will certainly never feel the same.

"When I first heard about Dick Clark passing, the first thing that went through my mind was 'Man, the world just got a little bit darker for losing a man who made it a whole lot brighter,' " Olivia Munn told MTV News. "That's what my image of him is, just the ball dropping and being with my family on New Year's. Growing up, we started a new year with Dick Clark every year.

"And the other thing I thought was I hope that he was able to realize what an impact he made on this world. As entertainers, he did it right," she added.

"He went in, he tried to do the best job, keep his head down, do entertainment work to entertain the people ... he wasn't into any of the other BS that we get wrapped up into now and I think that's a great lesson. Do it right."

Aubrey O'Day has a similar memory of Clark. "Dick Clark's a legend. He's been such an innovative mind and I think the time we will miss him the most will be New Year's Eve," she said. "I don't think it'll ever be the same." That memory is even more personal for Monica, who was actually featured on the holiday broadcast and met Clark several times. She recalled just how personable he was.

"I have so many fond memories of Mr. Clark. It's just unbelievable we've lost so many people that we love. And over the 15, 16, 17 years of my career, there have been so many people who have played a huge part of it that are no longer here, and Mr. Clark is one of them," she said.

"I remember my first New Year's event with him. I thought it was so amazing that he would come in and talk to each person who was performing that night face to face ... I just remember his humility and the way he always treated me," she recalled. "He never forgot my face. It was amazing how personable he was."

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Missy Elliott's 'Eavesdropping' Led To Monica's 'So Gone'

10 Apr 2012 19:33:54 EDT

'I'm embracing the things that are different now and the things that have changed for me,' Monica tells MTV News of New Life album.
By Rob Markman

Monica may have titled her latest album New Life, but there are some things the velvety-voiced singer wanted to keep the same — including her working relationship with Missy Elliott.

"New Life was just me saying, 'This is the place that I'm at and I'm embracing the things that are different now and the things that have changed for me,' " she told MTV News on Tuesday (April 10).

The duo have worked together for years, and in 2003, they came up with one of Monica's most memorable songs to date: "So Gone." It's a chemistry that neither wants to abandon anytime soon.

"Missy is one of my dearest friends, and I think her humility and her compassion for other people is what makes her music so great," Monica said.

The bond that both women share is the reason they yield such memorable results. "Knock Knock," "A Dozen Roses (Remind Me of You)" and the Grammy-nominated "Everything to Me" are just a few of the records on which they've collaborated. Monica counts "So Gone" as her favorite to date.

"She wrote that record after eavesdropping on my phone conversation," Monica recalled, laughing. "So when you think about things like that, that can only be done by somebody that's very close to you."

Elliott didn't write Monica's lyrics — Jazmine Sullivan gets credit for that — but Missy did produce the breakup ode. The two worked out of Missy's house in Atlanta and came up with songs that were vocally challenging for the veteran singer. This time, though, there was no eavesdropping.

"When it came to 'Until It's Gone,' I probably was just sharing," Monica laughed. "I was already in a sharing mood."

What's your favorite song from Monica's New Life? Tell us in the comments!

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Adele Should Win Big At Grammys, Brandy And Monica Say

10 Feb 2012 12:20:32 EST

Legendary producer Clive Davis agrees, calling this 'the year of Adele.'
By Kelley L. Carter

No doubt about it, it's been the year of Adele. And when one of music's most respected figures says it, you can't help but agree.

Legendary record producer and music executive Clive Davis sat and talked with R&B singers Brandy and Monica on Thursday, and they were all on the same page when it came to who they wanted to see take home the big prizes at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.

They're fans of Rihanna, but they'd love British singer Adele to win the Grammy for Album of the Year. Both singers are up for the big prize, along with Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and the Foo Fighters.

"You know, it's so hard because to me you can't really choose one person when you know about both of their journeys. Rihanna is somebody I love because she's OK with self. That's something that's always been resonated through her and her music," Monica said. "I play 'You Da One' all day. When I think about my husband I play 'You Da One.'

"But Adele's voice is so amazingly beautiful," Monica continued. "And the fact that she embodies the soul that you [talking to mentor Davis] used to tell me in the early '90s not to be afraid of ... He used to say, 'Sing it big, sing it strong.' Looking at her, she does that every time she hits the stage."

Davis added that Adele brings back that old soul, and he appreciates her big voice and style of music.

"All the nominees — it's a worthy thing to get nominated, but this has been the year of Adele," Davis said. "No disrespect to any other nominee. In this era where there is perhaps too much electronica and dance music ... I love it. It's inventive, but it should not be the totality of what is exposed. She has just come back with pure music. Just throwing her head back and singing out with full voice, but songs that resonate as well."

Davis continued, saying, "It's been an incredible impact on music and worthy of being singled out, as I'm sure it will be."

As for Brandy, she's tossing her support behind the singer that her daughter Sy'rai adores. Naturally, it's Adele.

"My daughter is in love with Adele. She listens to her every day," Brandy said. "To see someone with that much passion and soul move a 9-year-old is amazing and it's magical."

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off!

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Monica Says Grammy Noms Confirm Her Comeback

02 Dec 2010 11:47:06 EST

'This is where I'm supposed to be at this point in my life,' Still Standing singer tells MTV News of her two nominations.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by James Lacsina

Monica proclaimed she was Still Standing on her Grammy-nominated album, and the "Boy is Mine" singer is surprised that the album is being recognized in such a big way. The singer is up for two awards, including Best R&B Album and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for the song "Everything to Me," from the album.

"I wasn't expecting anything from this album other than me to reconnect with the fans, so it was just an honor to be thought of by your peers and the Grammy Association," she told MTV News. "It's just that confirmation that I needed that this is where I'm supposed to be at this point in my life, because I was very happy with being a stay-at-home mom.

"So, to come back after such a long hiatus, it's just a good feeling, and I'm still in shock. Nothing's really set in."

With two chances at taking home a prize come February, Monica admits that she doesn't care which one she takes home.

"I take everything one day at a time, one moment at a time — what's meant will be," she explained. "I think it's an honor to be nominated. Some people say it and don't mean it, but I know how hard it is to be a part of this type of awards show, so I'm happy just being there. I'll be there with my children, having a great time, just looking forward to the day."

And Monica isn't willing to place any bets on any of the other Grammy nominees.

"It's gonna be up to the people, because one thing that happens is that they get the chance to really decide," she explained. "The Grammy Association, being a part of it, I learned about the way that it really happens. So, it'll be the voice of the people, and you never really know.

"It's whichever fans go the hardest and put in the most work."

Are you rooting for Monica to take home a Grammy? Tell us in the comments below!

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Trey Songz Says Monica Is 'Like A Big Sister'

28 Jun 2010 20:12:23 EDT

'I'm so happy for where she is in her career right now,' Songz tells MTV News of handpicking her as tourmate.
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Kelly Marino

Trey Songz is having a big year. He's already given a fearless performance on MTV's Unplugged and toured with Jay-Z on his Blueprint 3 Tour. And on Sunday night, he continued his fortunate streak, bravely covering Prince's classic "Purple Rain" at the 2010 BET Awards — as the Purple One looked on from the audience — and taking home the night's award for Best Male R&B Artist.

At a pre-awards-show event, Songz told MTV News he had more reason to be excited, opening up about how his upcoming Passion, Pain & Pleasure Tour with R&B songstress Monica came together.

"She's kinda like a big sister to me, so we've had some conversations and we did a series of shows together, and I told her I wanted her to be involved," Songz explained. The crooner said he had a lot of love for his tourmate: "Monica has been doing her thing for a while now. I'm so happy for where she is in her career right now and she got a great album."

Like Monica, who gave viewers a glimpse into her world with her BET reality show "Monica: Still Standing," fans will soon be able to see what life is like for the Virginia soul man offstage in his new docu-series "Trey Songz: My Moment." The show, also airing on the network, chronicles the behind-the-scenes happenings of the singer's tour with Jay and premieres Tuesday night.

Of course, fans who aren't content to watch Monica and Trey Songz on the small screen, can always check out the duo on the road when the Passion, Pain & Pleasure Tour — also the name of Songz' upcoming album — crisscrosses the U.S. later this summer.

Are you glad Trey chose R&B singer Monica as his tourmante? Tell us in the comments!

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Monica and Rick Ross Talk Possible Collaboration

25 Jun 2010 14:42:59 EDT

The R&B songstress also chats about hooking up the Teflon Don with his own reality show.
By By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Shaheem Reid

R&B singer Monica might be hooking up with Rick Ross on a track very soon. While chopping it up with the Miami bawse in a joint interview with MTV News, the Still Standing diva brought up the idea of collaborating on a song.

"We gotta do a record together," Monica told MTV News about teaming up with Ross. "So, you make sure you call me, I'm there," Monica playfully instructed the Teflon Don.

The stars kept the potential collaboration all about the music as Monica refused to charge for the record. "We don't do money," Monica insisted, shaking her head. "I don't want nothing." Ross agreed: "We go too far back, it's whatever."

While the ATL songbird and the Miami rapper may seem like a random pairing to some, the stars revealed that they go way back as figures in the Southern music scene. "I was on the grind but she most definitely was doing her thing and I've just been a quiet supporter for years," Ross said.

"I got little brothers, for real, by blood but now I got big brothers in these streets," Monica added, gesturing to Ross. "I'm thankful." In addition to possibly working on a song together, Monica also mentioned that Ross might have a reality show coming his way. The singer, who stars in the BET reality show, "Monica: Still Standing," said that the producers behind her series are interested in working with Ricky Rozay.

"My people that actually did my show, they want to do a show about Rick because they always ask me who do I feel like represents something very strong out here," said Monica. "That was just something that we talked about so, they actually been looking for you for about two weeks," the star informed Ross. "Monica: Still Standing" is produced by produced by DuBoseEntertainment.

Whether the Rick Ross/ Monica joint pops off or the singer makes a cameo in any upcoming Ross reality show, Monica will definitely be busy soon. The star is heading out on the Passion, Pain & Pleasure Tour with Trey Songz this summer.

Would you like to see Monica and Rick Ross collaborate on a song? Tell us in the comments!

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Rick Ross, Monica Join Atlanta's Birthday Bash Lineup

29 Apr 2010 18:31:00 EDT

Plies, Ludacris already announced for Hot 107.9's show on June 19.
By Shaheem Reid

Hot 107.9 in Atlanta continued to announce names for their annual Birthday Bash concert, taking place on June 19. A couple of weeks ago, the station trumpeted the names of Plies and Ludacris as their initial two performers — and on Thursday (April 29), a couple of more names on the roster were revealed. Holding it down for Miami will be Rick Ross, and bringing the hometown heat onstage will be A-Town's own Monica.

Ross is heavily in the process of promoting his forthcoming LP Teflon Don, while Monica basking in the success of her Still Standing LP, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard albums chart earlier this month.

"It's weird to me that people don't recognize there's room for new and old," Monica said of those who were surprised by the album's success. "For me, it was really weird because I'm 29 years old. To be written off by some was really mind boggling. I think that the album title has a lot to do with what was happening right now, even though that's not the way I initially meant it. When I said 'Still Standing,' I meant personally — just being victorious and talking about personal triumphs, so it motivates the next person that might be going through it. After some of the things I read when I would say my album is coming — and you would have negative feedback — it felt so strange to me because I'm so young and have so much ahead of me."

The Birthday Bash Concert is set for June 19 at Atlanta's Philips Arena. More names will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Monica 'Can't Be Mad' At Still Standing Chart Success

02 Apr 2010 15:34:00 EDT

'It's been good news all around,' she says of her #2 comeback album.
By Shaheem Reid

Monica's new album is aptly titled Still Standing. After recently ending her five-year relationship with her fiancé, Monica returned from a four-year music hiatus, selling 182,000 copies of the album in its first week of release.

"I'm doing extremely good," Monica said. Her LP is currently the #2 album in the country behind teen juggernaut Justin Bieber's My World 2.0. "It's been good news all around. You can't be mad when that happens.

"It taught me a lot to be honest," the singer said about life lessons she learned during her downtime. "Throughout the making of my show and some of the process of getting the album done, there were moments where other people were weighing in on what needed to take place. I just started praying and pretty much asking God what is it that I needed to do. It just started to happen on its own. I didn't get songs from a whole a lot of places. It was a handful of producers. It's gratifying, but it's a reminder of the idea that we all do something different for a reason. R&B/soul music is what I love and it's just what I do — it's no need for me to try and change it according to what may be relevant in other places."

Monica is one of a list of soulful singers — such as Maxwell, Sade and Whitney Houston — that have come back after extended breaks from the spotlight. The Atlanta songstress credits her realness and Internet presence for part of her success.

"One of the biggest keys for me, period, is my connection to the people, because I was never ashamed of who I was," the 29-year-old said. "I never wasted time on creating façades. I think people connect to realness. People connect to the idea that, 'OK, she makes mistakes like we do and she's not afraid to talk about them. She loves who she wanna love, she does what she wants to do.' I think that people connect to that because when you're so unreachable, people don't expect real things to happen.

"In my life, they saw me grow personally, they saw me grow professionally," Monica added. "My first album dropped when I was 13. I'm also a person — I don't believe in sitting on the problem. When I say, 'Stting on the problem,' people talk about digital downloading and things of that nature. My thing was, 'OK, let me join the digital world if that's what's happening now.' I think it has a lot to do with me being young and being a young mother, and just acclimating myself to whatever is around me and adapting. I didn't understand Twitter in the beginning, now I love it. It's a way for me to talk to fans, and it's actually the way we picked my first single. Instead of complaining, people should pick themselves up by the boot straps and go along with what's taking place and find a way to make it work for them."

Monica's latest single is "Everything to Me." The video stars football player Chad Ochocinco and was inspired by the Beyoncé film "Obsessed."

What do you think of Monica's new album? Let us know in the comments!

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